The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-05-11


newspapers that General Sheridan intend
ed to take pleasure trip through the
Shenandoah Valley, the ire of ex-Confed-
crate General Rosser, who was sent whirl-
ing down the valley by Little Phil "
during the late war-became stirred up,
and he wrote and caused to be published
the following letter:
TNIvERsrrY OF VIRGINIA, May Major
Holmes Conrad, Winchester, Va. Ny Dear
Major: / have seen it reported recently IN
the newspapers that General Z. Ii. Sheridan,
L. 5. A.. contemplates al AN early day anoth-
er ride up the Shenandoah Valley. ! had
hoped that our beautiful valley should never
again be desecrated by his footprints Cold,
cruel and brutal must be the character OF
this soldier, who fondly cherisbes memories
Of the wild, wanton waste and desolation
which his torch spread through the valley.
laying in ashes the beautiful and happy
homes OF innocent women, young and help
less children, and aged men, and who over
these ruins boosted that Now crow cannot
fly over this valley without carrying its ra-
TONS General Sheridan has done nothing
since the war to atone for his cruel barbarism
during the war. We have not forgotten that
during his reign in New Orleans ne asked
that our fellow-citizens of Louisiana might
be proclaimed banditti in order that he might
set the dogs of war on them. have iorgiv-
en- the brave men Of the Union armies whom
l have met in honorable battle and who fin
ally triumphed ouer Us in the great struggle
Among them can now name many OF my
warmest and truest and most prized friends.
They are good and true men. and think none
the less of rs for having fought them. In
deed, they esteem him highest among IL who
fought them the hardest. Sheridan is moi
one of this kind, and he has never accorded
to us that peace which Grant proclaimed.
now say to You, my dear Major, and 10 our
gallant comrades who are now in the valley,
that hope you win allow this man TO make
his triumphant ride up the valley in peace,
but have him go like miserable crow car
rying his rations with him. Yours truly,
THOMAS l.. RossER
General Sheridan was much amused
when his attention was called to Rosser :
philippe, and said:
Rosser has not forgotten the whaling /
gave him in the valley and am not surprised
that he loses his temper when he recalls it.
You see. when was moving down tle valley
had an important object In view and did
not care to be annoyed. Rosser was sent af-
ter me with brigade, but did not consider
ii worth while TO give him much attention.
General Torbert's division of cavalry formed
the rear of my column and ! was confident
he could take care of Rosser. Occasionally
Rosser would come across small detachments
Of our troops and would swoop down upon
them Finally il was reported to me that
Rosser had captured my pack train. and this
made me mad. Hating the entire army
right on the road, galloped to the rear TO
find Torbert determined to settle Rosser.
found that the train had not been captured.
although II had encountered Rosser and was
coming in considerably scattered and broken
UP. could not find Torbert, and this added
to my rage When ! found him. he was
quietly enjoying himself in a farmhouse. l
called him out and informed him that /
wanted Rosser cleaned out, and that if he
could not do this would take his division
and do it myself concluded | would re-
main and see the work performed, and 50
Informed Torbert. The following morning
early Torber went after Rosser. whose bri-
gade was struck with an impetuosity that
caused it 10 scatter. We stripped the enemy
Of everything it had captured all its guns,
except one which subsequently fell into our
hands, and all its baggage, including the per
sonal effects of Rosser. 1t was regular
frolic tor our boys. Custer got Rosser's uni
form and occasionally wore ii for the amusc-
mcnt of his command Torbert pursued
Rosser to Newmarket, distance of about
twenty-five miles He did not trouble me
further
" This incident was doubly humiliating to
Rosser, because he was hailed as the Saviour
of the Valley. his men wearing small laurel
twigs in their hats as an indication of their
purpose to clean Us out Some time altar
this, when RosSer again appeared in that Vi
cinity, understand the people advised him
to substitute pumpkin vines for laurel, that
plant being well known for running quail
ties. For these reasons, | suppose, General
Rosser continues 10 feel unkindly toward me-
He says that | have not atoned for my acts
during the war That is true 1t never oc-
CURED TO me that | was called upon to do So
want to add that do not propose TO make
a trip to the Shenandoah Valley the coming
and had not thought of so doing.
] visited the valley last Summer, in company
with Senator Cameron, of Pennsylvania, and
was Hospitality received by the people, none
of whom exhibited any of the bitterness of
feeling that is expressed in General Rossers
letter. understand Rosser is not living in
the valley, and as he intends 10 become
for Congress his letter was doubt
less written for effect upon his coming polit-
ical campaign"
We are inclined to think that after
reading Sheridans few remarks, General
Rosser will agree with the rest of the
world, that he was darned fool for at
10 stir up ancient strife.
A Militia Secret.